Entry 2: Writing Instruction

It's hard for me to remember what kind of writing instruction I had as a kid, but I  remember that I didn't enjoy writing time at school. However, I do remember writing notes and letters to friends when I was in elementary school through my high school years. This was our way of communicating with each other. As soon as I turned seven years old I started going to camp in up state New York. I made a lot of friends and we would keep in constant touch through letters and pictures until the next summer when we would see each other again.

I did receive formal writing instruction when I went to college. My writing wasn't quite up to college level expectations so I had to take a beginners writing course. This course taught me to write more for academic purposes instead of personal one's. While I was in college I mainly wrote what was required for me to get through my classes (because that's all there was time for.)

However, a year after college my sister committed suicide. The very next day I began writing in a journal. It was a way for me to communicate with her, express my thoughts that I was too scared to share, and it was a way for me to release my anger and sadness. It has been five years and I continue to write in a journal as a way to reflect on my life.

Writing is the hardest thing for me to teach my students and get them to enjoy. Every year I gain more excitement for writing and learn new ways to teach my students. Being back in school has been challenging because each class requires academic writing. With every paper I learn more and gain more confidence about myself as a writer.

During this program I have realized the importance in classroom talk and allocating time for my students to talk before I require them to write. I have found the extra time helpful and beneficial to my students. If my students can't talk about and share their ideas with others how are they going to be able to write them down on paper.

I now hope to inspire my students and not only help them become successful writers but to help them find enjoyment in it. Maybe if I was given more of a choice of what to write about as a kid I would have enjoyed it more.